Urbanna plans crackdown on tall grass

Junk, broken-down cars in yards are also targets of Urbanna officials

by Tom Chillemi –

Urbanna Zoning Administrator Roy Kime told the Urbanna Town Council that the town has received complaints about tall grass, junk and inoperative vehicles in residential areas — all in violation of zoning ordinances.

At the Aug. 11 meeting, council received a proposed ordinance that would replace the town’s existing tall grass and junk ordinances, said Kime, who asked council to consider the ordinance for adoption, if needed.

“It would make it easier for us (the town) to go after people who repeatedly don’t cut their grass,” said Kime. “We want to perk up the appearance of the town and we’re trying to figure out ways to do it.”

Town Attorney Andrea Erard  told council the General Assembly has “tweaked” enforcement procedures and has added “clutter” as a nuisance category. The proposed ordinance “is not something entirely new,” said Erard. “It’s just an updated and easier to enforce ordinance.”

“This is a sort of town cleanup to make sure properties are tidied up and look the best they can,” Kime added.

Section 17-6.11 of the town code, states, “Automobiles, recreation vehicles and trailers greater than 10 feet in length of any kind or type without current state license plates shall not be parked or stored on any residential property for more than 30 days other than in completely enclosed buildings unless approval has been granted by the town administrator for a period of time not to exceed 90 days.”

Town’s website

The town’s website states “the town staff will be conducting property evaluations over the next several weeks, going street by street reviewing any potential town code and ordinance violations including, but not limited to, buildings without required permits, unregistered or inoperable vehicles, trash and clutter, and tall grass.”